San Ramon Auto Repair

Just a reminder what us mechanics go through. Not all is simple in our world. So customer has an intermittent electrical problem (2006 Subaru)that causes all his guages, speedo, windows and turn signals to stop. Also the alternator stopped charging the battery. Comes to me and I find that the alternator is fried and a fuse is blown. Alternators fail and blow fuses all the time. So we install a new one and a fuse, test drive and all is good right? Wrong! 2 hrs later he c...all and says his dashboard is dead again and no turn signals!!! He drives back and fuse is blown again but thank goodness the new Alt is ok. So I look at wiring diagrams trace the fuse and all it's wiring and systems. Obviously it works the turn signals so we start there and find rain water had leaked into the taillight assembly and not only soaked the wiring but was filling up a cracked bulb!(see pic). Bingo that had to be it...right? Every time he had the right signal on and hit a bump, the water would short out bulb and blow fuse. Shut hood, show customer his broken stuff and off he goes....NOPE! Fuse blowes soon as he back's out! Back to drawing board. So after iscolating the rear lights from power completely we found that the fuse still blew but every time we turn right. It's now worse! Ugh. So now it MUST be the right front light doing it. We remove light and bulbs...still pops fuse. Here is what we finally found: The wiring for the right front lamp was chaffing on hood prop! Its not the correct one and had been shoved in wrong hole! That's why when I shut hood for him to leave the issue changed and got worse. Total time: 3 hrs. 2 mechanics and 13 fuses To trace the electrical issues. Just shows how 3 obviously defective and related issues should have fixed the problem but there was still more. Crazy. So be patient with your technicians. CARS ARE NOT EASY!!! Dan C

My sister has stage 3b Cervical cancer...she could use your prayers.

For all of my customers who asked me the if Oberon the new puppy and Tyson get along, I think this will answer your questions.

Everyone...Please welcome Oberon to the San Ramon Auto family! He is 8 weeks and will be at the shop along with Tyson.